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County approves three-year contract with Local 49’ers |
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Houston County Board approved a three-year contract with the Local 49’ers Union, which included a three percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in 2008, a five percent COLA increase in 2009 and a five percent COLA increase in 2010. The COLA increase in 2009 will be broken up, with two percent kicking in on Jan. 1 and the other three percent on July 1. In 2010, union employees will receive a three percent COLA on Jan. 1 and a two percent COLA on July 1.
“Houston County is not a wage leader,” County Personnel Director Tim Comstock told the board during the March 18 meeting. “We are somewhat behind other rural counties. The committee was concerned what it would take to retain and attract good, qualified employees.”
The union contract negotiating committee included commissioners Larry Connory, and Dave Corcoran.
“We felt we had to make some adjustments to bring our county up with some of the other rural counties,” Connory said.
“The union reps presented their case well,” Dave Corcoran added. “They were good to work with. We have good employees in this county and need to keep them.”
Another change in the current contract increases the amount of money an employee who is required to have a valid Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is compensated. In the past, the compensation was $125 per year. The compensation was increased to $150 for 2008, $200 for 2009, and $250 for 2010.
Other changes in the union contract included:
•An increase in the reimbursement to engineering technicians for possessing Mn/DOT certifications from $75 to $125.
•A new classification which does not require a CDL, for employees who will not operate heavy equipment. This position shall be paid at a rate that is 15 percent below each pay step for maintenance specialists.
•Logevity pay was eliminated by converting it to $0.25 per hour which was added to each pay step. The COLA reflected in this agreement were applied after the $0.25 was added. According to Comstock, this will help streamline bookkeeping issues.
Comstock added the agreement is being made with the understanding that the issues of insurance coverage and contribution amounts are still being discussed, as the union and the county are still reviewing a number of insurance coverage options.
The contract has been ratified by the Local 49’ers. All increases are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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